Business tycoon Anand Mahindra has expressed pleasant surprise that India has surpassed China in the length of its road network, bringing it closer to the United States. He praised the efforts of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Netizens discussed the need to improve road infrastructure and praised the growth of India's road network.
Commenting on the road network in India, businessman Anand Mahindra said that he was surprised to learn that India has surpassed China. India is close to the United States, which has the highest road network in the world. The Mahindra Group Chairman also expressed optimism that Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, will aim for the number one position in the world.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see that we are ahead of China. This must be due to the small population in the western half of China. The most interesting thing is that we are within walking distance of the United States”. Mr Anand Mahindra posted on his X handle, “I am sure Gadkari can set the ‘We Will Overtake the US Soon’ goal”.
Many netizens commented on Mahindra's post. "It is commendable. Maybe we also need to focus on road markings, toilets etc. Likewise, roads within cities also need some attention. But the most important thing is that we Indians need to show better sense of traffic," a user said.
“Excellent, but what we need now is road infrastructure of similar quality that enables last-mile connectivity for efficient transport, rapid manufacturing and supply chains. Vietnam is a good example, its infrastructure of roads, ports and public facilities is easily world class”, another user said.
In June last year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking about the Modi government's achievements said, “In nine years the total length of national highways in India has increased by about 59%, making the country the second largest highway network in the world after the United States. The total length of national highways was 91,287 km in 2013-14 and has now reached 1,45,240 km in 2022-23, reflecting a growth of over 59% during this period,".
He also said that the length of four-lane national highways has almost doubled in the same period, rising from 18,371 km in 2013-14 to 44,654 km in the last nine years.
Gadkari also attributed the significant increase in toll collection to the implementation of FAST Tag. Toll revenues rose from Rs 4,770 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 41,342 crore in 2022-23. The government aims to increase toll revenue to Rs 1,30,000 crore by 2030. In addition, he highlighted the significant reduction in waiting times at toll plazas, which declined from 734 seconds in 2014 to 47 seconds in 2023, the target is to Limit thw waiting time to 30 seconds soon.
The Minister also noted the successful launch of bonds under the Infrastructure Investment Fund (INVIT) model, which has generated significant interest from investors.
During the reign of Bharatmala Pariyojana, India's largest highway, the 1,386 km long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, is being constructed and the Delhi-Dosa-Lasot stretch is now open to the public.
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